I am a Kriyaban and regularly practice kriya yoga and Master's teachings.
I go to a park to practice energization, meditation & kriya yoga. Recently, I was molested by a stranger in the same park after I finished my meditation. That person is in judicial custody. Though due to meditation practice, I have taken this incident with calm mind, I need some suggestions as to how to deal with this crisis. It had bad impact on my mind. Is this due to kriya practice? (past bad karma being worked out)
—DS, India
Dear Friend,
I am so sorry to hear of your troubles — and all while minding your own business, practicing Kriya Yoga, and devotion to God and Guru! My goodness……
Well, yes, I suppose everything is our karma in some way or another. But, accepting that doesn’t really tell us much or help us much, does it?
Could we go further and call something so unpleasant “guru’s grace”? Well, that might be a bit much. But consider the statement by the wife of Sri Ramakrishna (Sarada Devi): for a devotee, a cut on the arm might have been in lieu of losing one’s arm according to what would have otherwise been one’s karma, but due to kriya practice it was partially mitigated.
Finding, therefore, some positive way to view this unfortunate incident can be helpful to your moving through and away from it back to a state of calm, inner peace. The same could be said of your assailant: just as Ravanna was blessed by his intense focus on Rama, so it is in some way your assailant must be blessed for the fact that you are a devotee and that your response is not one of hatred or revenge.
On a practical level, you should surely consider that Divine Mother is advising you not to meditate in public places, or at least places such as the park. But I assume you have concluded that all ready. (You cannot meditate at home? at a temple?)
Such an attack upon one’s person, for a devotee, is surely an opportunity to strengthen one’s practice of ahimsa (non-violence), including forgiveness. Resolve to not judge others, to convert anger into kindness, and to seek the highest for all whom you meet.
I don’t mean to suggest that you make any effort to contact your assailant, for that might be ill-advised. Rather I refer to the attitudes and emotions of the heart towards any and all others.
As Jesus was crucified, as Gandhi was assassinated, we see in life that even the saints are not exempt from violence. Follow their example “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” This world is filled with violence in every day. For the devotee it can serve as a reminder and an incentive to transcend the tendency of the mind and ego to strike out or back at others who hurt, thwart, or are disagreeable to us.
Lastly, if you find it difficult to forgive, remember God forgives us always. Ask God to help you overcome any tendency or attitude that might possibly attract to you any harm. You can help do this by serving, helping, and loving others first.
Blessings to you,
Nayaswami Hriman
